Artcappella making waves

SHARE | Wednesday, 08 March 2017 | By Tlotlo Kebinakgabo

Artcapella – an art house found and funded by a 23-year-old Moshupa-born Gorata Morapedi and her business partner Kago Africa Kgosimore – is making waves in Botswana fashion industry. The company, which is located in Maruapula Goals Town Gaborone, aims at giving a platform to draw uncut talent among the youth. Morapedi said Botswana fashion industry is considered to be one of the fast growing commodities that can help in diversifying the economy, which is why the government urges the youth to pave their ways into the art and creative industry. “We don’t focus on designing clothes at Artcapella – we do poetry, photography and modelling, but we are currently known for apparel (fashion) design,” said Morapedi. Artcapella started in 2014 and was introduced officially to the people in 2015 through the Empire’s Fashion Show 2.0 and since then the brand has grown. “I can safely say that we have been in this industry for a year and a half and all I can say is I have been getting positive response from people as they can’t seem to get enough of my creative hands,” said Morapedi. They started the business with passion and drive to bring a difference in the arts and creative industry of Botswana. “We are not aiming for Botswana, we want to be an international brand and it is with the love and support of our people to make it to the world,” she said. Morapedi said it’s high time Batswana to start believing in the arts and creative industry and stop criticising other people’s talents. “As Batswana we don’t believe in our own people, we tend to believe that our fashion designers do not bring international standards, which is wrong; look at Artcapella,” she added. The business is getting positive feedback as they haven’t encountered any serious challenges in the year and half of operating. They face challenges of people who get their products but never pay. “There will always be challenges but the business is doing well enough and that’s a good sign as we have a year and half in the industry, our art and creative are killed by individuals who believe they can put us on the map by exposing us which is bad for the business,” said Morapedi.